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Nature Cell Biology 6, 1150–1152 (1 December 2004) | doi:10.1038/ncb1204-1150

Tudor domains track down DNA breaks

Manuel Stucki & Stephen P. Jackson

Our cells are equipped with sophisticated mechanisms to detect, signal the presence of, and repair DNA damage. Of particular importance are the pathways associated with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) — highly toxic lesions that, if left unrepaired or repaired incorrectly, can cause mutations and chromosomal translocations, and can lead to cell death and diseases such as cancer.